DAVID Brooks is facing up to a spell on the sidelines due to an ankle problem.

The Wales international endured wretched luck last season, missing the vast majority of the campaign after undergoing two operations on ankle ligament damage suffered during a pre-season game at Brentford.

And after overcoming some health and injury concerns at the start of this campaign, Brooks has been a regular in the side for Cherries, featuring in 25 consecutive fixtures before this latest setback.

Head coach Jonathan Woodgate confirmed the injury is on the opposite ankle to the one which gave him problems last year, but still revealed he is set to be without the 23-year-old.

"He went over on his ankle in training on Friday I think it was," said Woodgate.

"We got a scan on it and I think he’s going to be four to five weeks, which isn’t great because he’s a valuable player at the football club."

Another key player who is going to be missing for tomorrow's visit of Cardiff City is striker Dominic Solanke.

The 23-year-old picked up an ankle injury during defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on February 2, but he is now nearing a return.

Woodgate said: "Dom trained with the physios yesterday. He should be back in training on Thursday.

"That’s a huge bonus for the team and for me personally. I’ve followed his career throughout when he was at Chelsea to Liverpool to Bournemouth.

"I know what type of striker he is and I’m really looking forward to working with him. To get those results without your top striker is even better."